It seems Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo will stay with Manchester United and this is a sentiment expressed by manager Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman was pleased to see his talisman netting in their 2-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
Ten Hag says the former Real Madrid skipper is slowly getting back to his goalscoring form and he is confident more goals are coming from him.
The former Ajax Amsterdam manager has insisted that Ronaldo is “totally committed” to the club after he broke his season drought in Europa League action.
For the first time this term, the Portuguese skipper was selected to start for the Red Devils in their second Europa League group and found the back of the net from the penalty spot after compatriot Diogo Dalot had been fouled.
The goal and the start come after there was uncertainty over the former Ballon d’Or winner’s future and whether he would ever play for United again earlier this summer after he tabled a request to leave Old Trafford just a year after his emotional return from Juventus.
“He’s [Ronaldo] really close, when he gets more fitness he will score more. He’s totally committed to this project, totally involved, he also has connections that are coming around him [on the pitch] and he is constructing connections so I’m happy with that,” said the manager.
Ronaldo’s goal against Sheriff was his first of the ongoing 2022/23 season and in fact, the first time he had ever scored in the Europa League during his lengthy career.
Having scored on 24 occasions last term, Ten Hag was in no doubt over Ronaldo halting his drought once he stepped up to the penalty spot
“Ronaldo needed that goal. Many times he came close, but he wanted that so much. We are happy for him and the team wanted to bring him a goal. You know that Cristiano will score a penalty,” he added.
With the transfer window now shut, the 37-year-old looks set to remain as a Red Devil until January at the very least and Ten Hag has reaffirmed that Ronaldo remains dedicated to the club.
Meanwhile, the Dutchman will look to sharpen his troops as they will face cross-town rivals, Manchester City next since their English Premier League clash with Leeds United this weekend has been postponed due to policing issues.
Main Image: Cristiano Ronaldo/MARCA
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